Update: Identities of Putnam County Accident Victims Released

March 16, 2011 - Hurricane W.V. - Authorities have released the identities of three people who were injured last Monday when a car collided with an ambulance. The West Virginia Gazette reports that the accident occurred shortly before 9:30 p.m. on Monday near Hurricane in Putnam County.

Police say a Pontiac Grand Am was traveling northbound on W.Va. 34 when it drove into oncoming traffic and crashed head-on into a Putnam County ambulance. The accident took place near the intersection with U.S. 60.

The head-on collision caused serious injuries to the occupants of the car and ambulance. The crash was so severe that first responders had to use power tools and cutting equipment to free one of the victims from the wreck.

Authorities have released the identities of all three people involved in this serious accident. The driver of the Pontiac Grand Am has been identified as Tonya Smith, 23, of Branchland. Two Putnam County paramedics were also injured, including Corey Smith and Christy Roberts. Their ages and hometowns were not released. It was not immediately clear if there were any additional passengers in the ambulance or the Pontiac Grand Am who were not injured.

The Hurricane Police Department is still investigating this serious accident, and they have not yet determined if the driver will face any charges.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's 2008 West Virginia Crash Statistics show that there were 380 fatalities as a result of car accidents in West Virginia.

In an effort to raise awareness of common factors in serious and fatal car accidents in West Virginia, our firm routinely publishes news items about traffic crashes in our region.

Common West Virginia accidents include, but are not limited to:

 

• single-car crashes;
• tractor-trailer accidents;
• accidents caused by hazardous road conditions; and
• distracted driver crashes.

 

If you or a family member has been named in this blog and you would like the information to be removed please contact us and will promptly accommodate your request.